Interpellation concerning the restoration of bogs (No. 625)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-09 20:33
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 21
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 25m
AI Summaries: 21/21 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the inquiry concerning bog restoration submitted by Evelin Poolamets, Anti Poolamets, Rene Kokk, and Leo Kunnas as the fourth item on the agenda. The inquiry focused on Estonia’s plan to restore at least 25,000 hectares of drained wetlands by 2050, asking about the cost of the works, the rejection (at that time) of the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation, and the impact of the restoration on the economy and security. The questioners expressed concern that generations of work put into drainage would be lost and that funds should be used for more pressing needs.
Climate Minister Yoko Alender responded, explaining that the restoration work focuses on areas massively drained and damaged during the Soviet era, which currently emit greenhouse gases and pose a fire hazard. The Minister emphasized that restoration is never carried out on productive forest, hay, or agricultural lands. She confirmed that the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation has since been approved, and Estonia’s goals are consistent with plans already in place. Regarding funding, the Minister noted that specific EU funds are used for bog restoration which cannot be spent on other sectors, and that these resources (totaling approximately 37 million euros, of which Estonia’s co-financing from the RMK budget is 935,000 euros) provide work for rural entrepreneurs. During the debate, the questioners sharply criticized the green transition, calling the flooding of bogs ideological "Lysenkoism" and the fulfillment of five-year plans that destroy forests and rural life.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Evelin Poolamets (right) was the initiator of the discussion and the most active speaker, submitting an inquiry, asking a clarifying question about the Tudusoo example, and delivering a critical closing statement.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Riigikogu will discuss, as the fourth item on the agenda, the interpellation concerning the restoration of bogs, submitted on April 2, 2024, by Evelin Poolamets, Anti Poolamets, Rene Kokk, and Leo Kunnas. Evelin Poolamets will deliver the report.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets submitted an inquiry to the Climate Minister concerning bog restoration. In the inquiry, she notes that Estonia plans to restore at least 25,000 hectares of drained bogs by 2050, and she raises several questions: how to proceed with restoration without the European Nature Restoration Regulation; whether the rewetting of drained lands nullifies the efforts expended over the years; whether resources should be allocated elsewhere; how this impacts LULUCF; and what the extent of Estonia’s own co-financing is.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender is called to the rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender stated that while Estonia has drained wetlands in the past, the focus is now on restoring damaged wetlands, emphasizing that bogs are a valuable part of our landscape, and that drained areas will no longer be artificially re-wetted (or 'turned into bogs'). Furthermore, Estonia has adopted and is implementing the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation, with funding aimed at supporting the improvement of the status of habitats and species, balancing the water regime, assessing the impact of methane, and accounting for the effects of restored wetlands in LULUCF reporting.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The address states that the audience has questions, and to begin, Helle-Moonika Helme is invited.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He argues that both Moscow and Brussels are funding the transformation of nature—specifically through the drainage of bogs—and that peat, being a crucial raw material, could, in the name of climate action, result in losses for food production and exports, and the onset of widespread famine. To prevent this, he questions whether the ideologues realize that this kind of approach is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender highlighted that the export of raw peat from Estonia is worrying, noting that a significant share of the profits goes to foreign companies, even though the majority of peat usage occurs in horticulture, rather than agriculture.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller calls upon Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets claims that 37 million euros allocated to bog restoration is exorbitant, and that money could instead be used for developing rural life—for example, building swing parks or planting forests, as well as preserving historical communities and pastures—rather than flooding this bog.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
EU funds earmarked for bog restoration are specifically aimed at habitat recovery, and the money brought to Estonia for these restoration activities has been spent precisely in rural areas, providing work for Estonian businesses. This is perhaps more important than establishing a village swing site, even though swinging is also an activity characteristic of our culture.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The core of the address is the concern that, in the Tudusoo Natura 2000 area, tens of hectares of beautiful pine forest have been cut down and destroyed in the name of restoring bogs and meadows. A question is then posed regarding how much forest has actually been destroyed and whether the ministry has a comprehensive overview of the situation.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender stated that there is currently no specific data available regarding Tudusoo, but she will respond in writing and send the information once it is permitted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller approached Rain Epler with a request.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stated that the question raised during the discussion concerning the funding of bog restoration from Estonia's own budget remained unanswered. He therefore requested a further review of how much money we ourselves have contributed and how much has been spent from European funds.
Kliimaminister Yoko Alender
AI Summary
Climate Minister Yoko Alender pointed out that the self-financing contribution from the RMK budget amounts to 935,000 euros, and the total sum, if one is to believe Poolamets, is approximately 37 million.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller concludes the round of questions, opens the debate, and invites Evelin Poolamets to conduct them.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets warns that the restoration of peatlands may increase carbon emissions due to the rotting of trees, and that there is a lack of clear data regarding the clear-cutting of forests funded by the European Union and the actual impact of LULUCF, a situation which the Tudusoo example clearly illustrates.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The next speaker is Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets believes that 37 million euros and EU funds must not be allowed to sit idle given the current security situation; instead, they should be used reasonably and with clear priorities, because the restoration of wetlands and the closing of drainage ditches damage the cultural landscape, rural employment, and the Estonian natural environment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were no requests to speak and the minister did not wish to take the floor, and thus the fourth item on the agenda and the interpellation concerning it are considered concluded.